New Delhi: The Centre has decided to revoke the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). He was detained under the stringent act in connection with the violence that rocked Leh last September 2025.
Detention under the NSA can extend up to a year without trial. Howeve, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Saturday that it is revoking the detention, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Wangchuk was detained and later sent to Rajasthan’s Jodhpur jail. The government had said that Wangchuk was being detained ‘to maintain public order’ following the violent protests.
In a statement on Saturday, the government said: “The Government remains committed to fostering an environment of peace, stability, and mutual trust in Ladakh so as to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders. In furtherance of this objective, and after due consideration, the Government has decided to revoke the detention of Shri Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act.”
It is engaging with stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh to address the ‘aspirations and concerns of the people of the region’, the government said.
“However, the prevailing atmosphere of bandhs and protests has been detrimental to the peace-loving character of the society and has adversely affected various sections of the community, including students, job aspirants, businesses, tour operators and tourists and overall economy,” it said.
Wangchuk has been accused of trying to instigate the Gen Z for protests similar to Nepal and Bangladesh.
The Supreme Court had recently urged the Centre to consider Wangchuk’s release on health grounds. This came after his wife Gitanjali J Angmo filed a petition challenging the detention, calling it illegal and an arbitrary exercise violating his fundamental rights.
The Centre had then sent a medical team to examine Wangchuk and reported back to the Court that he is healthy.
Sources said that Wangchuk’s detention was necessary after the violent protests in Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured. The Union Territory is of great strategic importance as it borders both China and Pakistan. Any unrest there can prove detrimental to the country’s defences.
